Personalized Home Security

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When it comes to protecting our homes, one size does not fit all. Customized home security solutions are the new standard, addressing your tailored needs and concerns, to provide a worry-free lifestyle. As Benajmin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. You can protect your loved ones using security measures that fit your lifestyle. The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing your security plan! In this blog we will explore the latest trends and technologies, and why they would be useful to your everyday lives.

As a homeowner, you want to do everything possible to keep your family safe and your home secure. One of the best ways to do that is to install a home security system. But with so many different types and features available, how do you know which one is right for your home?

The good news is there are companies offering customized home security systems tailor-made for your needs by considering specifics such as your home layout, doors/windows, and neighborhood. They design systems to provide maximum protection.

Let’s consider 4 ways we can make your home security a personalized experience:

Your Security System, Your Way

Choosing the right components and having a professionally installed customized home security system ensures your family’s safety and security. Popular components include intrusion, life safety, automation, and video devices for home security.

  • Intrusion devices include contacts and sensors that detect when windows or doors have been opened or closed. When armed, motion detectors will trigger an alarm if they detect movement within your home. (Glass break sensors detect the sound of an acoustic smash).
  • Life safety systems like carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors and flood sensors help warn you of potential dangers at home. Where you place these devices is important because if they are not in the right areas in your home, they may trigger false alarms or improperly detect environmental triggers.
  • Cameras provide visual analytics of specific movements (such as people and cars) and can alert you of suspicious activity happening both in and around your property, during the day and at night.
  • Smart home automation devices let you control appliances and gadgets from one location, like an app on your smart phone. These devices work together to help make your home more comfortable, more convenient, and secure.

When setting up a home security system, it is important to tailor the system to your specific needs and preferences.

Did you know – After you install your home security system and receive an insurance certificate, a monitored system with added life safety devices, you may receive a higher discount from your insurance company.

Use Smart Home Technology

The rise of smart home technology has changed how we protect our homes from intruders. You can access smart locks using three methods:

  1. Use them directly from your phone, via an app and unique code to lock/ unlock your door.
  2. Program the system to arm or disarm when entering the code on the door.
  3. Customize your existing key to the new lock to remove the need for additional keys.

Smart lights and smart outlets provide you with remote access via the app both inside and outside of your home. You can access common devices via the app to ensure they are turned off when you are away!

E.g. You can ensure your coffee is brewed on time with a switch or automate your lights to go on at dusk and off at dawn.

 

Geo-fencing creates virtual boundaries so you can set location-based alerts and rules with an app. Customize rules within a specific radius to secure, adjust temperature, or close your garage if forgotten.

Planning a trip away? Personalized home security systems can give you status updates of your home, freeing your friends and family from having to check on your home will you are away. Insurance companies prefer a monitored system if you leave your home for more than a month!

Homeowners with vacation properties use cameras to protect their homes from afar. These cameras have video analytics that help prevent theft, spot hazards, and predict maintenance needs, allowing easy monitoring without being there in person.

Did you know you can integrate more than one property in the app?

 

Utilize Home Security Cameras

Wilson’s Security recommends cameras with analytics for valuable property protection. These modern cameras are easily integrated into homes, enhancing safety.

Proper camera placement is essential for clear views and useful data! Key locations include entrances, exits, hallways, and living rooms for optimal protection. For outdoor coverage, ensure good Wi-Fi for areas like driveways and pools to detect any suspicious activity.

 

Did You Know? The latest versions of smart cameras are built with advanced analytics and infrared night vision. Based on your notification settings, they provide you with a motion clip of information that is relevant to you. Footage can be accessed remotely through a smartphone app.

Homeowners use their cameras in a variety of situations and below are just a few examples:
– Know when their kids are back home from school.
– Communicate with whomever is at the door instead of opening it to an unexpected visitor.
– Make sure their pets are not trying to sneak a nap on the couch.

 

Personalize Your Notification Preferences

You can create customized home security system notifications is crucial for optimal safety. By selecting preferred alerts, you prioritize important information. Notifications are important for detecting threats and suspicious activity, such as entries, opened doors/windows, and motion sensor triggers.

Most home security systems allow you to customize the types of alerts you receive and how you receive them (e.g. text, email, push notification) – ensuring your safety is always in check.  Did you know? Homeowners add an extra layer of security with sensors like on cabinets or a safe!

In Summary

In conclusion, key factors when choosing your Personalized Home Security system include:

– A system that matches your household needs

– Integration of smart home tech

– Cameras with valuable analytics

– Personalized notifications

Choose Wilsons for our expertise in security systems, installation, and service, ensuring your home maximum protection that will be tailored to your needs. Contact our team for a free consultation.

Benefits of a Commercial Security System

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Why are commercial security systems important?

Commercial security systems are important for businesses of all sizes. Not only do they help to protect your property, but they help to keep your employees safe. A commercial security system includes features like video surveillance and alarm monitoring. It has other useful features like access control and fire detection.

Commerical Security Systems

The benefits of a commercial security system.

If you are looking for a commercial security system, the first thing to consider is what kind of security your business requires. It’s important to select a system with features that match those needs. For instance, a logistics operation may need access control to provide audit logs of who has entered the space and when. They may need to control when people can enter specific spaces. Having these types of options gives you more control in terms of what kind of security you need for your business. Checking the capabilities of each system will help you find the one that aligns with your needs and budget.

In another instance, retail may see more value in a CCTV system. This will give them the ability to review their entire location, inside and outside while allowing their team to focus on the client. Many systems allow for remote viewing through the Internet which helps managers to have peace of mind. 

Different Types of Systems

There are many different types of security systems that businesses can install to keep their employees and property safe.

Video Surveillance (CCTV)–

This is the most common type of security system. In the retail example we discussed earlier, security cameras help keep an eye on both the inside and outside of a business or property. These cameras can either be fixed in place or placed on a rotating dome. They cameras are usually connected to a recording system that enables remote viewing online. Extra features like remote monitoring can be included, allowing for the identification of intruders before they break in.

A wireless CCTV system is a type of surveillance camera that uses wireless transmission technology instead of wires. However, we do not usually recommend Wireless CCTV as it may be unreliable in most cases.   

Types of Security Systems

Video surveillance (CCTV) security system.

 Picture quality has always been important for security cameras. The old grainy security cameras are a thing of the past. Modern high-resolution cameras offer clear and crisp images that help catch criminals and enhance safety. You might not think picture quality matters for your security cameras, but it is vital for keeping an eye on your business. Low-quality images can make it difficult to identify criminals and may result in wrongful accusations. With the right choice, you can make sure you have the best picture quality for your security setup!

Access Control–

This is another common type of system that helps to limit entry to specific parts of a business and monitor who comes in and out. The main purpose of access control is to protect the building and its areas from unauthorized entry. Many commercial buildings today widely use access control systems.

Employee safety is another important consideration for businesses. Businesses can install alarm systems, panic buttons, and other safety features to keep their employees safe. 

Another important aspect of any commercial security system is its durability and reliability – ensuring when the system is tailored to fit your environment, it should work without fail, especially when you need it the most. Factors that can impact a security system’s reliability include how often false alarms occur and their severity, the number of different sensors used, and whether the system has backup features.

You can use your smartphone to connect to your security system. An app allows you to arm or disarm your business security system, turn on your cameras and CCTV, control thermostats and timers, and open or close garage doors and gate motors. You can also text or call employees and customers inside your commercial property. The commercial market has been shifting towards high-tech products in recent years, and the demand for advanced technology keeps increasing each year.

Installing and maintaining a security system

Installing and maintaining your system can seem like a large task, but with the right tips, you can get the most out of your system. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Have a professional install your system – this will ensure that it is installed correctly and is up to code. Professionals know how to install the devices in a way that is both secure and trusted. Additionally, they can help you choose the right device for your needs. 

2. Regularly test your system to make sure it is working properly

3. Keep your system updated with the latest software and firmware updates

4. Ensure all appropriate parties are trained on how to use the system correctly

Commercial Security System Installation & Monitoring

Installing and maintaining your security system

It is important to remember that when it comes to security, you get what you pay for. Professionally installed devices are typically more reliable and offer greater peace of mind than other DIY solutions bought from a store.

In conclusion, it’s important to have a security system in place for your business. Formally enacting safety and security measures in your property can empower you to keep your employees and customers safe. You can contact a commercial security services company to get started.

How to Prevent Water Damage

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Water damage is something that every homeowner wants to avoid. Below are a few measures you can take to help prevent water damage that may cost a lot of money.

We’re taking it from the top.

Inspect your roof.

Ensure that there aren’t any broken, cracked, missing or loose shingles up on your roof. It may not take a big environmental occurrence for your roof to leak. Without a weather-tight roof, your house may suffer water damage.

Know where your main water shut off valve is in your home.

Finding out the location of your main water valve and knowing how to turn it off is important. This could be the difference between minor and major water damage loss. If a pipe bursts in your home, the first thing to do is to shut off the main water supply. This will hopefully reduce damage.

Maintain your drains

The main job of your drainage system is to flush out wastewater to the sewer or septic. Every part of that system must work effectively or there may be a collection of water in sink cabinets. This is because it can lead to leaks inside walls or between floors. Ensure foreign liquids like grease, oil, and butter are disposed of appropriately. These substances can hinder a good drainage system and will be costly to remove. Make sure to keep your drains in excellent condition. This is also a good time to check appliances for leaks.

Check your water bill.

The easiest way to know if there’s a leak is by taking a look at your water bill. If you notice that the usage has increased significantly without any reason, it’s an indication that something’s wrong. If your fixtures look fine, have a look in different places. Outside pipes or hose connections are a good place to start.

Don’t put off known leaks for a later date

If moisture damage is ignored or if necessary, repairs are not acted on promptly, there’s a high chance of damage. This can come in the form of dry rot, mold, mildew, or even structural damage to your home. A point to note is that damage caused by a lack of maintenance may not be covered on your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Install environmental sensors

Environmental sensors can alert you about various conditions in your home and one of them is a flood sensor. A flood sensor can be placed in flood-prone areas. Near your hot water tank, or in basements, so you are notified of pooling before severe damage occurs.

Low-temperature sensors are another option to consider. They can detect a drop in temperature which can lead to water freezing in pipes, causing them to burst. A pipe burst is the last thing anyone would want to have to think about. To combat this, low-temperature sensors can alert you when temperatures fall below a set degree.

For more information, questions or concerns about plumbing in and around your home, give us a call on 902-429-4545 or visit WilsonsPlumbing.ca.

Sources:

https://www.autohomeboat.com/blog/10-tips-to-avoid-water-damage-to-your-home/

https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/how-to-prevent-water-damage/

https://buckleyins.com/prevent-water-damage/

Wilsons Supports Hope For Wildlife

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Hope for Wildlife, a charitable wildlife rehabilitation and education organization located in Seaforth, Nova Scotia, is one of the most inspiring places you will ever have the good fortune to visit.  What started out as a dream more than two decades ago for Argyle native and certified wildlife rehabilitator, Hope Swinimer, has grown into an organization which, as of 2018, cares for 4,500 animals and birds a year and assists more than 20,000 callers annually through its wildlife helpline.

Referring to herself as much a people person as a critter person, Hope has happily embraced over the years the tremendous growth of the organization’s paid staff and volunteer base. For the past 7 years, persons committing to a 16-week room and board only internship of hands-on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work have been coming to HFW from all over Canada and other countries including Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. In 2018 alone, 50 interns were accommodated.

In addition to working directly with its furry, feathered and scaly patients, Hope for Wildlife has opened its doors to thousands of human visitors by providing guided tours while staff and volunteers have participated in hundreds of off-site, community and school-based educational presentations.

There is no question Hope for Wildlife’s social profile in Nova Scotia is of an organization well- loved and supported by countless individuals and community groups as well as corporate sponsors.  Last spring, following a break-in to the centre that results in a loss of $1,000 of donation money and $1500 worth of property damage, donations and logistical support poured in. As a longtime friend and supporter of Hope for Wildlife, Wilsons Security was pleased to provide security system upgrades and ongoing monitoring service, free of charge.

At the time of the break-in, the door of forced entry was left ajar, thereby exposing the creatures inside to a long night of cold temperatures. This is particularly a problem for cold-blooded reptiles that depend on external heat sources.  Fortunately, none of the animals suffered irreparable harm. However, mindful of the importance of keeping these injured animals not only as safe but also as warm as possible, in December of last year, Wilsons Heating provided Hope For Wildlife with its very own new generator.  As stated on the Hope For Wildlife Facebook page:

Wilsons has supported Hope For Wildlife several times over the past few years and we can’t thank them enough for always coming through for us. They’ve made a massive project more manageable and our rehab animals more comfortable when we lose electricity.

Whether it’s a little saw-whet owl that flew into a window, a fawn found caught in a fence or an abandoned pet snake, Hope For Wildlife offers competent, loving and life-saving care to creatures that might otherwise not make it.  Returned to the wild or adopted by caring human families, every rehabilitated, Hope For Wildlife patient can look forward to an optimal outcome.

Here at Wilsons, we are proud to continue our support of such a worthwhile organization.

For information about educational and touring events, making a donation or volunteering at Hope for Wildlife, check out their website, www.hopeforwildlife.net or Facebook page.